23.06.2026

One year on from the launch of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, manufacturers remain firmly behind its ambition and direction. The strategy set out a welcome long-term vision for growth, investment and competitiveness — and industry continues to support the need for a stable, long-term framework for manufacturing.

But Make UK’s new paper finds that delivery is not yet matching ambition.

For many manufacturers, the Industrial Strategy remains visible in announcements, but not yet in lower costs, improved access to skills, stronger investment conditions or greater confidence to grow. More than half of manufacturers report seeing no benefit from the strategy so far, while just 3% say it has delivered significant benefits.

At a time when firms are facing high energy prices, rising input costs, employment cost pressures and continued global uncertainty, the need for faster delivery has become more urgent.

This paper sets out where progress is stalling, why the delivery gap matters, and what government must do in year two to ensure the Industrial Strategy makes a real difference on the ground.

What the paper covers

  • Why manufacturers continue to back the Industrial Strategy’s long-term vision
  • The gap between policy announcements and business-level impact
  • The impact of high energy costs, skills shortages and slow access to finance
  • Where delivery is stalling across energy, skills, finance, infrastructure and governance
  • Make UK’s priorities for year two, including immediate cost relief, faster investment support and stronger accountability

Make UK’s message

The issue is not the vision. Manufacturers do not want to see the Industrial Strategy paused, scrapped or replaced.

What they need now is delivery at pace.

Year one was about setting direction. Year two must be about delivering results — reducing costs, unlocking investment and ensuring businesses feel the benefit of reform in practice.

Download the paper

Read Make UK’s full paper, Industrial Strategy: One Year On, to see our assessment of progress so far and our priorities for the year ahead.

Available resources

Making News – The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, one year on

One year on from the launch of the Government's Modern Industrial Strategy in June 2025, manufacturers are taking stock of whether it is delivering the certainty, competitiveness and long-term policy stability needed to support investment and growth. 

Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson and Director of Policy & Public Affairs Verity Davidge are joined by Greg Clark, former Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Cara Haffey, UK Leader of Industrials and Services, PwC UK to discuss the current status.